System and method for a user interface directed to discovering and publishing presence information on a network

ABSTRACT

A system and method is provided for a user interface directed to publication and discovery of the presence of users on a network. A sidebar tile is provided that peripherally and unobtrusively displays the presence information of nearby users on the network. The sidebar tile is also used to notify a local user that their information is also being published on the network. The sidebar tile provides options for selecting to change, enable, or disable the presence discovery service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to patent applications entitled:“System and Method for Discovering and Publishing of PresenceInformation on a Network”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/836,566;“System and Method for a Synchronizing Between a File System andPresence of Contacts on a Network”, U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/837,099; and “System and Method for Identity Confirmation of aContact Published on a Network”, U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/837,131, filed concurrently with this application. The relatedapplications are assigned to the assignee of the present patentapplication and are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The concept of presence has increasingly come to the foreground ofnetworking applications and real-time communications. Presence oftenrefers to the ability to detect whether a user is online and available.One example of an application that takes advantage of presenceinformation is an Instant Messenger (IM) program. An IM program providesa method for user to send instant messages to other IM users on theInternet or on a network. IM is a type of communications service thatenables a user to create a kind of private chat room with anotherindividual in order to communicate in real time over the Internet. IM isanalogous to a telephone conversation, but uses text-based, notvoice-based, communication. Typically, the instant messaging systemalerts a user whenever somebody on the user's private list is online.The user may then initiate a chat session with that particularindividual.

However, presence for IM and other similar applications has been limitedto presence information that is directly associated with a contactalready established by the user. Presence of other users outside of theuser's listed contacts has been unobtainable. Other applications haveallowed for discovery of what devices are on a network, but not of theusers. Presence information that has been provided, has been displayedby either cumbersome or obtrusive user interfaces. For example, an IMapplication is required to be open, running, and in view of the user inorder to display the presence information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed towards providing a systemand method for a user interface directed to publishing and discovery ofpresence information for users on a network. The user interface providesa peripheral and unobtrusive notification of the publishing of the localuser on the network while providing presence of nearby users on thenetwork. The present invention takes advantage of a sidebar provided onthe desktop of the local user that includes various tiles. The varioustiles provide different functionality as selected by the local user. Forthe present invention, the presence information is provided as one ofthe tiles of the sidebar. Correspondingly, the presence information isprovided peripherally to other applications running on the local user'scomputing device. When the user has the sidebar tile enabled, thepresence information is provided and updated such that it may beconstantly viewed by the user. However, the information is provided suchthat updates are not obtrusive to the local user as they work on theircomputing device. For example, the sidebar tile may merely contain thenumber of nearby users. The number is updated as the people enter andleave the network. Accordingly, the local user may take notice of thechange in presence information provided, without the presenceinformation being forcibly pushed to the local user.

Additionally, the sidebar tile provides selections for changing aspectsof the presence discovery service. The local user may enable or disablethe presence discovery service from the sidebar tile, or even choose todisable the sidebar tile itself.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, acomputer-implemented method is provided for a user interface directed todiscovering and publishing presence information on a network. The methoddetermines whether a local user is present on the network and whether anearby user is present on the network. A portion of the user interfaceis instantiated for peripheral and unobtrusive notification of thepresence of the local user and the presence of the nearby user on thenetwork. The presence of the local user and the presence of the nearbyuser is then displayed in the portion of the user interface when thelocal user is determined to be present on the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary computing device that may be usedaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative operating environment for a mobile devicesubstantially for use in the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary sidebar within a desktop;

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for discoveryand publication of nearby presence information on a network;

FIG. 5 illustrates another functional block diagram of a system fordiscovery and publication of nearby presence information on a network;

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary file structures corresponding to a filesystem for storing presence information;

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary sidebar tiles associated with publicationand discovery of presence of nearby user's on a network;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary state table for implementing the userinterface for the publication and discovery of presence information onthe network; and

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary identity verification with relation to apresence notification of a nearby user, in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments forpracticing the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Amongother things, the present invention may be embodied as methods ordevices. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Illustrative Operating Environment

With reference to FIG. 1, one exemplary system for implementing theinvention includes a computing device, such as computing device 100.Computing device 100 may be configured as a client, a server, mobiledevice, or any other computing device that provides for discovering andpublishing presence information. In a very basic configuration,computing device 100 typically includes at least one processing unit 102and system memory 104. Depending on the exact configuration and type ofcomputing device, system memory 104 may be volatile (such as RAM),non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) or some combination ofthe two. System memory 104 typically includes an operating system 105,one or more applications 106, and may include program data 107. In oneembodiment, application 106 includes a people near me application 120.This basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 1 by those componentswithin dashed line 108.

Computing device 100 may have additional features or functionality. Forexample, computing device 100 may also include additional data storagedevices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magneticdisks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG. 1 by removable storage 109 and non-removable storage 110. Computerstorage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. System memory 104, removable storage 109and non-removable storage 110 are all examples of computer storagemedia. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by computing device 100. Any such computerstorage media may be part of device 100. Computing device 100 may alsohave input device(s) 112 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice inputdevice, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 114 such as a display,speakers, printer, etc. may also be included.

Computing device 100 also contains communication connections 116 thatallow the device to communicate with other computing devices 118, suchas over a network. Communication connection 116 is one example ofcommunication media. Communication media may typically be embodied bycomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein includesboth storage media and communication media.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative operating environment for a mobile devicesubstantially for use in the present invention. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, mobile device 200 is integrated as a computingdevice, such as an integrated personal digital assistant (PDA) andwireless phone.

In this embodiment, mobile device 200 has a processor 260, a memory 262,a display 228, a peripheral device port 230 and a keypad 232. Memory 262generally includes both volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatilememory (e.g., ROM, Flash Memory, or the like). Mobile device 200includes an operating system 264, which is resident in memory 262 andexecutes on processor 260. Keypad 232 may be a push button numericdialing pad (such as on a typical telephone), a multi-key keyboard (suchas a conventional keyboard), or may not be included in the mobile devicein deference to a touch screen or stylus. Display 228 may be a liquidcrystal display, or any other type of display commonly used in mobilecomputing devices. Display 228 may be touch-sensitive, and would thenalso act as an input device.

One or more application programs 266 are loaded into memory 262 and runon operating system 264. Examples of application programs include phonedialer programs, e-mail programs, scheduling programs, PIM (personalinformation management) programs, word processing programs, spreadsheetprograms, Internet browser programs, and so forth. In one embodiment,application programs 266 include a people near me (PNM) application 280.Mobile device 200 also includes non-volatile storage 268 within thememory 262. Non-volatile storage 268 may be used to store persistentinformation which should not be lost if mobile device 200 is powereddown. The applications 266 may use and store information in storage 268,such as e-mail or other messages used by an e-mail application, contactinformation used by a PIM, appointment information used by a schedulingprogram, documents used by a word processing application, and the like.A synchronization application also resides on the mobile device and isprogrammed to interact with a corresponding synchronization applicationresident on a host computer to keep the information stored in thestorage 268 synchronized with corresponding information stored at thehost computer.

Mobile device 200 has a power supply 270, which may be implemented asone or more batteries. Power supply 270 might further include anexternal power source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradlethat supplements or recharges the batteries.

Mobile device 200 is also shown with two types of external notificationmechanisms: an LED 240 and an audio interface 274. These devices may bedirectly coupled to power supply 270 so that when activated, they remainon for a duration dictated by the notification mechanism even thoughprocessor 260 and other components might shut down to conserve batterypower. LED 240 may be programmed to remain on indefinitely until theuser takes action to indicate the powered-on status of the device. Audiointerface 274 is used to provide audible signals to and receive audiblesignals from the user. For example, audio interface 274 may be coupledto a speaker for providing audible output and to a microphone forreceiving audible input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation.

Mobile device 200 also includes a radio 272 that performs the functionof transmitting and receiving radio frequency communications. Radio 272facilitates wireless connectivity between the mobile device 200 and theoutside world, via a communications carrier or service provider.Transmissions to and from the radio 272 are conducted under control ofthe operating system 264. In other words, communications received by theradio 272 may be disseminated to application programs 266 via theoperating system 264, and vice versa.

The radio 272 allows the mobile device 200 to communicate with othercomputing devices, such as over a network. The radio 272 is one exampleof communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied bycomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein includesboth storage media and communication media.

Illustrative Presence Discovery and Publication System

The present invention generally provides a system for a user interfacedirected to discovering presence information of people nearby to a user,as well as publishing the user's presence to those people nearby. Asused herein, the term “nearby” means people connected within eithernetwork or physical proximity to the user. For example, people who'sdevices are connected within the same local area network may beconsidered “nearby” to one another. Also, people who's devices areconnected to the same network may be considered “nearby”. Additionally,the users present on a link-local network may be considered “nearby”.Alternatively, designation of physical location may also be included inthe presence information such that people in the same room are thosethat are considered “nearby”. The use of “nearby” in the presentapplication is not limited to a single level of proximity, or requireimmediate closeness between the user and those people designated as“nearby”. “Nearby” may be designated for any relationship between usersbased upon either physical or network location of the person or theirassociated device (e.g., computing device, mobile device, etc.).

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary sidebar within a desktop in accordancewith the present invention. Sidebar 310 in desktop 300 includes tiles(e.g., 320) that provide a variety of information to the user during acomputing session. For example, tiles within sidebar 310 may includemedia information, e-mail notifications, schedule notifications, as wellas other information. Each tile may include icons and other content thatdifferentiates the tiles from one another. Also included in accordancewith the present invention, is PNM (people near me) sidebar tile 330,that peripherally and unobtrusively provides presence information to theuser.

The exemplary PNM sidebar tile 330 includes an indicator of presencepublished by the user 332, notification of presence of other users 334,and selection to view more detailed presence information 336. In thisexample, indicator 332 provides the alias selected by the user that ispublished to other users on the network. Notification 334 provides adynamically updated number of the users that are currently considerednearby to the user (e.g., 23 users are nearby). Selection 336 provides alink to more detailed information regarding the presence of other userson the network. For example, when a user selects selection 336, window340 is opened to provide the user with the detailed information.

Window 340 provides the user with more detailed information of usersnearby on the network. In one embodiment, the information within window340 includes presence information along with contact informationprovided by a contacts application associated with the computing device.For example, detailed information in window 340 may include adifferentiation of those contacts that are offline and those that areonline. Other details of the users and contacts present on the networkmay also be provided through window 340. In one embodiment, window 340is a “flyout” or window that is a component of the sidebar tile. Inanother embodiment, window 340 is produced by a contacts application andthe PNM information is provided to the contacts application forinclusion within the contacts UI.

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system for discoveryand publication of nearby presence information on a network inaccordance with the present invention. System 400 includes a PNM (peoplenear me) sidebar tile 410 (see FIG. 3), a rover 420, SSDP (simpleservice discovery protocol) layer 430, file system 440, and networkinglayer 450. Rover 420 includes PNM component 422.

PNM sidebar tile 410 is a user interface that provides peripheral andunobtrusive notification to a user of those people considered nearby tothe user. PNM sidebar tile 410 is described in greater detail withrelation to the discussions of FIGS. 7 and 8 below.

SSDP layer 430 provides the protocol for discovering and publishing thepresence information on the network. SSDP layer 430 is considered asubset protocol of a UPnP (universal plug and play) protocol forconnectivity of devices on a network. UPNP is built on existingprotocols and technologies. For example, UPNP uses TCP/IP, UDP/IP, andHTTP protocols as a base. In addition to these base protocols, severalother protocols build on top of these to implement the various steps orphases of UPNP networking, such as SSDP. The form of the PNM messagestransmitted and received according to SSDP layer 430 are described ingreater detail with relation to FIG. 5 below.

File system 440 provides an extensible storage location for theinformation regarding the presence of people nearby to the user. In oneembodiment, file system 440 is the WinFS file system created byMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. File system 440 is arranged toallow the PNM (people near me) information to be presented through morethan one UI (user interface) and link the PNM information to otherdatabases for their use. For example, file system 440 may include acontacts folder, where the user's contacts are stored. The PNMinformation may be used to indicate to the user which of the contactslisted is considered nearby to the user. Other relationships between thePNM information and other data may also be formed to providedistribution and use of the PNM information across multipleapplications.

Networking layer 450 includes the drivers and access to the network forcommunication of the PNM information. The network may be the Internet ora private network. The user's presence is published via networking layer450 while presence information of other is received through networkinglayer 450. The structure of networking layer 450 may be any structurethat allows discovery and publication of presence information inaccordance with the present invention.

PNM component 422 in rover 420 provides for coordination andcommunication between PNM sidebar tile 410, SSDP layer 430, and filesystem 440. PNM component 422 receives events through SSDP layer 430indicating updates to the presence information on the network. PNMcomponent 422 also receives changes selected by the user regardingpublication of the user's presence and changes to the display of thepresence information by PNM sidebar tile 410. PNM component 422 provideschanges to the presence data within file system 440 in response to thechanges from the PNM side bar tile 410 and SSDP layer 430.

FIG. 5 illustrates another functional block diagram of a system fordiscovery and publication of nearby presence information on a network inaccordance with the present invention. System 500 is similar to system400 of FIG. 4 with greater detail shown with regard to the operation ofthe PNM (people near me) functionality. System 500 includes PNM sidebartile 502, PNM publishing function 504, PNM discovery function 506, PNMpersist function 508, SSDP layer 510, networking layer 512, contactsuser interface 514, files system 516, and PNM folder 518.

PNM sidebar tile 502 is similar to PNM sidebar tile 410 shown in FIG. 4,and is used to allow the user to make changes to the PNM functionalityand view the presence information provided by the PNM system. In theexample shown, PNM sidebar tile 502 queries directly to file system 516for the number of people nearby and the other information presented byPNM sidebar tile 502. In another embodiment, PNM sidebar tile 502communicates with a user interface for a contacts application (e.g.,contacts UI 514). The contacts user interface coordinates between PNMsidebar tile 502 and file system 516 to present the PNM informationusing contacts UI 514.

PNM publishing function 504 publishes the data about the local user onthe network. SSDP layer 510 publishes the data as an alive packet thatindicates that the local user is online, and the data includesinformation such as the user's display name. The alive packet indicatesthat the local user is present on the network and available. Additionalinformation published in the alive packet includes a sharing addressthat resolves to the local user's machine address. In an additionalembodiment, the alive packet may include identity verification data,such as a public key and/or private key, that allows a user to verifythe identity of the user that is present on the network. A process foridentity verification of people nearby is discussed in greater detailbelow with relation to the discussion of FIG. 9.

A “bye-bye” message is also published by SSDP layer 510 in response tothe local user selecting to disable the PNM service. The bye-bye messagerefers to a notification provided to the network that the local user'spresence on the network is discontinuing.

Additionally, other information related to the SSDP protocol is alsopublished, such as a maximum lifetime property. The maximum lifetimeproperty is included in the cache control header of the SSDP message andrefers to the number of seconds that the PNM service of the local useris valid. In one instance, the maximum lifetime property is provided incase the PNM service ends suddenly, without a bye-bye message beingpublished. The expiration of the maximum lifetime property notifiesother users that a particular user's presence on the network has timedout, and the user is no longer present. A long as the local usermaintains the PNM service as enabled, alive packets are continuallypublished on the network that renew the maximum lifetime property suchthat indications of the local user's presence on the network ismaintained.

Also published in the cache control header of the SSDP alive packet andbye-bye message is a service ID. The service ID uniquely identifies eachof the users that are present on the network.

In an alternative embodiment, PNM publishing function 504 publishes onlya portion of the data that is to be provided to nearby user's on thenetwork in message or packet form. The remaining data is insteadprovided to a nearby user using a dedicated port established by thelocal user in response to a request by nearby user. Using these methodsof communication in combination to provide data to nearby users reducesthe size of the packets and increases their throughput speed on thenetwork to update presence notifications more quickly.

Various events may also require that an alive packet be republished. Forexample, the user may select to change their display name. The alivepacket is republished with the changed display name but the same serviceID. Accordingly, users on the network know that the change is not a newPNM presence on the network, but the same presence with a new displayname.

PNM discovery function 506 queries for the presence information relatedto other users nearby on the network for display to the local user. SSDPlayer 510 receives the alive and bye-bye messages from the network andmaintains a database of the users currently nearby. In response toevents on the network (e.g., receipt of alive packet), SSDP layer 510forwards the message corresponding to the event to PNM discoveryfunction 506. In one embodiment, SSDP layer 510 also tracks the maximumlifetime property of each alive packet received and sends a notificationto PNM discovery function 506 when the property expires. PNM discovery506 forwards changes due to the events on the network to PNM persistfunction 508.

PNM persist function 508 provides instructions for changes to the datastored in file system 516 and PNM folder 518. In one embodiment, PNMfolder 518 includes a list of the users that are nearby to the localuser. PNM folder 518 may be linked with other folders in file system516. Exemplary folder relationships between PNM folder 518 and otherfolders in file system 516 are described in FIG. 6 below.

The discussion throughout the specification and claims refers to“publishing presence information” and “publishing contacts”. Thesephrases and their variances refer to providing retrievable informationon the network about a user on the network. The published informationmay include the alive packet referred to above, the bye-bye message,identity information, general contacts information (e.g., phone numbers,address, etc.), and any other information related to an entity or deviceconnected to the network.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary file structures corresponding to a filesystem for storing presence information in accordance with the presentinvention. File system 600 includes PNM folder 610, person object 612,and personal contacts folder 620.

When the SSDP layer forwards an alive message to the PNM component ofthe rover (see FIG. 4), person object 612 is instantiated. Data from thealive message, such as the share address and display name, is populatedinto person object 612. In one embodiment, verification of the data inalive message is done before population into person object 612 to ensureauthenticity of the data provided. Verification prevents unauthorizedbrowser actions due to false addresses and storage of false entrieswithin a local user's contacts.

In one embodiment, person object 612 is associated with PNM folder 610as a contact entry. A local user may therefore open PNM folder 610 toview all the contact entries corresponding to other users nearby.Furthermore, a process may then count the number of entries within PNMfolder 610 to provide a display of the number of people nearby to thelocal user.

In another embodiment, a relationship may be generated between thecontact entries in personal contacts folder 620 and the contact entriesin PNM folder 610. The relationship is generated when the alive messagereceived has an associated identity verification. For example, publickey encryption may have been used in conjunction with the alive messageto verify the identity of the source of the alive message. The use ofpublic key encryption with the PNM system is described in greater detailwith respect to FIG. 9 below. When the identity of the user sending thealive message is verified as an existing entry in personal contactsfolder 620, a link is generated to that entry rather than a new personobject. Accordingly, the entry in PNM folder 610 includes rich contentassociated with personal contacts folder 620 (e.g., addresses, phonenumbers, pictures, etc.) rather than the simple person object with thedisplay name and sharing address. Additionally, the relationship isreciprocated with the entry in personal contacts folder 620, such thatwhen the entry is opened in personal contacts folder 620 the presenceinformation is shown (e.g., display name, online status, sharingaddress, etc.).

In yet another embodiment, a relationship is created between the personobject 612 and personal contacts folder 620. With the relationship, thePNM contact entries are reflected within personal contacts folder 620,but remain identified as PNM contacts according to a PNM GUID (PNMglobal unique identifier). In one instance, the PNM GUID is identifiedaccording to a PNM designator that identifies all PNM entries combinedwith the service ID (see discussion of FIG. 5). Accordingly, the PNMGUID identifies a contact entry as a PNM contact, and distinguishes eachPNM contact from one another. A process may then count the number ofcontact entries within personal contacts 620 that have an associated PNMGUID to display the number of people nearby. Furthermore, uniquelyidentifying the PNM entries allows personal contacts folder 620 toremove the PNM entries when the local user selects to disable the PNMservice. File system 600 is therefore synchronizes with the presence ofpeople nearby on the network, since personal contacts folder 620 may beupdated as people move on and off the network and the local user enablesand disables the PNM service.

Storing the PNM contacts as part of the local user's general (i.e.,personal) contacts list also allows other applications to take advantageof the presence information for people nearby. For example, a generalcontacts user interface may be used to generally view the local user'slist of contacts. By populating personal contacts folder 620 with thePNM contacts, the PNM contacts are reflected in the general contactsuser interface. Other applications (e.g., contact picker dialogue) thataccess personal contacts folder 620 are also able to take advantage ofthe presence information and display people that are nearby on thenetwork.

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary sidebar tiles associated with publicationand discovery of presence of nearby users on a network in accordancewith the present invention. Three tile scenarios are shown that providefor different sidebar tiles based upon the user selections and the stateof the network. In each scenario a possible reduced view of the sidebartile is provided (e.g., 712) along with a possible expanded view (e.g.,714). In another embodiment, each expanded view (e.g., 714) may be aflyout or separate window that is generated rather than within thesidebar itself.

Scenario 710 illustrates exemplary UI for when the PNM (people near me)service has yet to be enabled by the user. Reduced PNM sidebar tile 712provides a selection to enable the service. Expanded PNM sidebar tile714 provides further options regarding the display name the local userwants published and other options for configuring the PNM service.

Scenario 720 illustrates exemplary UI for when the PNM (people near me)service has been enabled by the user. Reduced PNM sidebar tile 722provides an indication of the number of people nearby and also providesa selection to view more detailed information regarding the peoplenearby. Expanded PNM sidebar tile 724 provides further options regardingthe display name the local user wants published and other options forconfiguring the PNM service and viewing more detailed presenceinformation.

Scenario 730 illustrates exemplary UI for when the network isunavailable. Reduced PNM sidebar tile 732 provides a selection to viewdetails of the network unavailability. Expanded PNM sidebar tile 734provides the options for configuring the PNM service while alsoproviding an option to troubleshoot the network failure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary state table for implementing the userinterface for the publication and discovery of presence information onthe network in accordance with the present invention. Finite statemachine 800 includes ten states regarding the presentation of the PNM(people near me) user interface based upon the state of the PNM service.

Initially, the monitoring application of a mobile device is at a state801, indicating that neither the PNM service nor the PNM sidebar tileare enabled and the bar tile is not visible. When the PNM sidebar tileis enabled, state machine 800 moves to a state 802.

At state 802, the PNM sidebar tile is in a standby mode awaiting furtherinput from the local user. The input of the local user may be to disablethe PNM sidebar tile. If the local user disables the PNM sidebar tile,state machine 800 moves back to state 801. In one embodiment, when thePNM sidebar tile is enabled for the first time (i.e., state 802 isreached from state 801), state machine 800 moves to state 803.

At state 803, a flyout or other external window is provided to the localuser automatically, so that the local user may select initial optionsrelated to the PNM service (e.g., a display name). If the user choosesto cancel without selecting further options, state machine 800 revertsto state 802. However, if the user chooses to select options for the PNMservice, state machine 800 advances to state 804.

In an alternative embodiment, state 803 is not included and the optionsare not provided. The local user may then select to enable the PNMservice and the state moves directly from state 802 to state 804.

State 804 is included among the states (804, 805, 806, 807) that arewithin state region 820. State region 820 represents when the PNMservice is being enabled or has been enabled. At state 804, the PNMservice is being enabled. If the enabling process is successful, statemachine 800 moves to state 805 where the PNM service is enabled and thepeople nearby are displayed to the user. However, if no network is foundduring the enabling process, state machine 800 moves to state 806.

At state 806, a waiting cycle is entered where the PNM system waits forthe network to return. State 806 may also be reached from state 805 whena network failure occurs while the PNM service is enabled. When thenetwork is again available, state machine 800 moves to state 805 wherethe PNM is enabled and displaying the people nearby.

While the PNM service is being enabled at state 804, a connection to therover (see FIG. 4) may not be established. As previously described, therover includes code for implementing the PNM service. If the rover isnot reached after a specified count (e.g., 12 seconds), then statemachine 800 moves from state 804 to state 807. At state 807, theenabling process waits 5 seconds and then returns to state 804 to retrya connection to the rover.

In certain circumstances, an error may occur during the enabling processthat is critical enough to prevent the PNM service from operatingcorrectly. When a critical error occurs, the state moves from state 804to state 808. At state 808, the local is notified of the critical errorand that the PNM service cannot proceed. The local user may then selectto disable the PNM sidebar tile and state machine 800 moves back tostate 801.

At any one of the states within state region 820, the user may select tocancel a current operation. Canceling the current operation,discontinues the enablement or disables the PNM service. With the PNMservice disabled, state machine 800 moves back to state 802 where thePNM sidebar tile is in a standby mode awaiting further input from thelocal user.

Additionally, at any one of the states within state region 820, the usermay select to close the PNM sidebar tile or the sidebar itself. If theuser makes a selection to disable the PNM sidebar tile or the sidebar,state machine 800 moves to state 810. At state 810, the effected systemsand folders (e.g., contacts folder) are cleaned up and the PNM sidebartile is disabled, moving state machine 800 back to state 801. In oneembodiment, when the system is cleaned up, the instances of PNM contactsand other PNM data are removed from the file system. Also, the SSDPlayer (see FIG. 4) is instructed to discontinue publishing the localuser's presence and discovering the presence information of other nearbyuser's on the network.

FIG. 9 illustrates exemplary identity verification with relation to apresence notification of a nearby user, in accordance with the presentinvention. For identity verification, user 1 has a set of elements 910associated with a presence notification (i.e., alive packet). A publickey (Pu1) 911 and private key (Pr1) 912 are associated with user 1. Data(D) is sent in the presence notification that includes display name 913,sharing address 914, timestamp 915, and hash(Pu1+salt) 916. Data (D) issigned with the private key (Pr1) 911 so that data (D) has an associatedsignature S1(D) 917.

Display Name 913 and sharing address 914 are optionally included in thepresence notification to allow a local user to publish a name to nearbyusers that do not know the local user and to notify nearby user that thelocal user has shared information. Timestamp 915 is included to providea interval of time that the signature S1 (D) is valid. Hash(Pu1+salt)916 is also optionally included. Hash(Pu1+salt) 916 is a hashed versionof public key (Pu1) 911 along with an amount of random data referred toas “salt”. The salt is also published in data (D) when salt is includedin the hash. Hashing public key (Pu1) 911 ensures that a third party isnot able to monitor the public keys as they are transferred betweenusers. A third party viewing a hashed public key sees only random datathat is not coherent as a public key. The addition of salt to hashedpublic key allows the public key to be further obfuscated and assists inpreventing tracking of the public key. Hashing public key (Pu1) 911 alsoprovides for narrowing down the identity of the user publishing data(D). Without the hashed public key, it may be necessary to try thepublic key of each contact to determine who signed data (D). With thepublished hashed public key, the contacts may first be queried for thecontacts with a public key that hashes to match Hash(Pu1+salt) 916.Publishing Hash(Pu1+salt) 916 therefore allows the results to benarrowed, increasing the speed of the verification process. In otherembodiments, public key (Pu1) 910 is not hashed or instead hashedwithout the salt (e.g., a random reordering of the public key bits).

When user 1 generates private key (Pr1) 912, public key (Pu1) 911 isalso generated and associated with private key (Pr1) 912. User 1 is thenable to send public key (Pu1) 911 to user 2. With the disseminatedpublic key, user 1 is able to sign a set of data (e.g., D) with privatekey (Pr1) 912, such data includes signature S1 (D) 917. Accordingly,only users that have public key (Pu1) 911 associated with user 1 (e.g.,user 2) are able to view the data signed with private key (Pr1) 912 ifthe data was encrypted. Regardless of the encryption used, signatureS1(D) still proves that data (D) was not tampered with and that data (D)originated from user 1, thereby proving the identity of user 1. Forexample, with public key (Pu1) 911, user 2 is able generate anequivalent hash of the public key (e.g., Hash(Pu1+salt) 921) to comparewith the original hash of the public key (e.g., Hash(Pu1+salt) 916).When the hashes match (and the data was encrypted), user 2 knows thatdisplay name 913, sharing address 914, and timestamp 915 indeedoriginated from user 1 rather than a malicious user.

Signature S1 (D) 917 prevents a malicious user from attempting torepublish the data published by user 1 on another network by changingsharing address 914. An attempted change to sharing address 914 breakssignature S1(D) 917 so that a user receiving the malicious rebroadcastis notified that data is not verified. Furthermore, the malicious useris prevented from resigning the data since they do not have private key(Pr1) 912.

Additionally, the inclusion of timestamp 915 causes signature S1(D) 917to be valid for specified period of time. When the period of timeexpires, so does the identity verification. Timestamp 915 preventsmalicious users from rebroadcasting the data without changes once aparticular period of time has passed. Other users receiving this dataonce the period of time has expired simply ignore the data sincetimestamp 915 has expired.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the data transferredcorresponding to the presence of user 1 nearby on the network is notencrypted even though public key infrastructure (PKI) is used. Instead,the use of public and private keys is limited to verification of theidentity of a user as the source of the data. The data sent is writtenin plain text and therefore viewable, but the public key encryptionverifies the identity of the user for which that data is published.

As stated previously with relation to FIG. 6 above, once the identity ofthe user publishing the data is verified as an existing contact, aricher data set may be provided to the user, improving the display ofthe PNM information to the user.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A computer-implemented method for a user interface directed todiscovering and publishing presence information on a network,comprising: programmatically querying a local file system to determinewhether a nearby user is present on the network based on presenceinformation that is periodically published on the network by the nearbyuser for receipt by other users on the network; wherein the publishedpresence information is stored within the local file system and whereinthe stored presence information in the local file system is used byother applications to determine the presence information; wherein anearby user includes users that are connected within network proximityor physical proximity to a user; wherein the presence information ispublished in response to enablement of the user interface; and whereinthe other users are users determined independent of whether a user ispreviously a contact of the nearby user; instantiating a portion of theuser interface for peripheral and unobtrusive notification of thepresence of the nearby user on the network; and displaying the presenceof the nearby user in the portion of the user interface.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the userinterface that is instantiated is a sidebar tile.
 3. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the userinterface further includes an option for one of enabling and disablingthe sidebar tile.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, whereinthe portion of the user interface further includes a selection forlaunching a window that includes options for changing aspects associatedwith at least one of the discovery and publication of the presenceinformation.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein thewindow is a flyout.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the portion of the user interface further includes a countcorresponding to how many nearby users are determined to be present onthe network.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein theportion of the user interface further provides a notification when thenetwork is unavailable.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein the portion of the user interface further includes rich contentcorresponding to the nearby user when the rich content is available. 9.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the portion of theuser interface further includes a selection for launching a window thatincludes detailed information regarding the nearby user.
 10. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the window correspondsto a separate user interface provided by a contacts application.
 11. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the detailed informationis similar to information that is located in a personal contacts folder.12. A computer-readable storage medium that includes computer-executableinstructions for a user interface directed to publishing and discoveringpresence information on a network, comprising: determining whether alocal user is present on the network based on presence informationpublished by the local user on the network; programmatically querying alocal file system to determine whether a nearby user is present on thenetwork based on the presence information published by the nearby userfor receipt by other users on the network; wherein the presenceinformation is published in response to enablement of the userinterface; and wherein the other users are users determined independentof whether a user is previously a contact of the nearby user;instantiating a portion of the user interface for peripheral andunobtrusive notification of the presence of the local user and thepresence of the nearby user on the network; and displaying the presenceof the local user and the presence of the nearby user in the portion ofthe user interface when the local user is determined to be present onthe network and the local user has selected to enable the display. 13.The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the portion of theuser interface that is instantiated is a sidebar tile.
 14. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the portion of the userinterface further includes an option for one of enabling and disablingthe sidebar tile.
 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, whereinthe portion of the user interface further includes a selection forlaunching a window that includes options for changing aspects associatedwith at least one of the discovery and publication of the presenceinformation.
 16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein theportion of the user interface further includes a count corresponding tohow many nearby users are determined to be present on the network. 17.The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the portion of theuser interface further notifies the local user when the network isunavailable.
 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein theportion of the user interface further includes a selection for launchinga window that includes detailed information regarding the local user andnearby user.
 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein thewindow is a flyout.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18,wherein the window corresponds to a separate user interface provided bya contacts application.
 21. A system for display of presence informationdiscovered and published on a network, comprising: a computing devicethat includes a file system and a user interface application that isconfigured to: programmatically query the file system to determinewhether a nearby user is present on the network based on presenceinformation published by the nearby user for receipt by other users onthe network; and wherein the presence information is published inresponse to enablement of the user interface; instantiate a portion ofthe user interface for peripheral and unobtrusive notification of thepresence of a local user and the presence of the nearby user on thenetwork; and display the presence of the local user and the presence ofthe nearby user in the portion of the user interface when the local useris determined to be present on the network.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein the portion of the user interface that is instantiated is asidebar tile.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein the portion of theuser interface further includes a selection for launching a window thatincludes options for changing aspects associated with at least one ofthe discovery and publication of the presence information.
 24. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the portion of the user interface furtherincludes a count corresponding to how many nearby users are determinedto be present on the network.